Joseph H. Zerbey IV, left, president and general manager of The Blade, celebrates his 70th birthday at the Toledo Club with Susan and Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, Inc., parent
company of The Blade.

Joseph H. Zerbey IV, left, president and general manager of The Blade, celebrates his 70th birthday at the Toledo Club with Susan and Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, Inc., parent
company of The Blade.

The 23rd annual Diamante Awards was Sept. 14 at Owens Community College in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts with Latino-style food, music, and fanfare.

The keynote speaker was Ursula Barrera-Richards, human resources and labor relations director for the Lucas County Auditor's office. The four award recipients were Nueva Esperanza, Alberto Serrano-Chavez, Cynthia Geronimo, and Celeste Taylor. Scholarships were presented to more than 20 students from Owens, Bowling Green State University, Lourdes University, and the University of Toledo.

More than $16,000 was raised for student scholarships, thanks in part to sponsors that included Owens-Illinois, Buckeye CableSystem, GM Powertrain, KeyBank, and The Andersons.

Happy birthday, Joe. Joseph H. Zerbey, IV, president and general manager of The Blade and president of the Toledo Club, was surprised with a celebration Sept. 6 in honor of his 70th birthday, which is today. A group of colleagues from the club, local dignitaries, and the office gathered in the Grill Room/Sports Bar for the party.

Mr. Zerbey has been at The Blade since 2004 and is a veteran newsman and the fourth generation of Zerbeys from a newspaper family from Pottsville, Pa., where his great-grandfather founded the Daily Evening Republican in 1884. He was also a captain in the United States Army.

Mr. Zerbey is active in the Toledo community, serving on many boards including the University of Toledo, Toledo Zoo, Toledo Symphony, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Jamie Farr LGPA Classic Tournament. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Toledo, Zenobia Shrine, and is a 32nd degree Mason. He and his wife, Barbara, have a son, a daughter, and five grandchildren.

The event was hosted by Allan Block, chairman of Block Communications, Inc., The Blade's parent company, and his wife Susan.

Shannon DeVilbiss Gallup was surprised with a birthday party in honor of her big 5-0. It was at the home of Scotty and Jim Blanchard on Aug. 28. She was really surprised because there was already a big celebration for family and friends at her Eagle Point Colony home the previous Saturday. This was a smaller crowd, and Mrs. Blanchard made Mrs. Gallup's favorites including homemade pulled pork and homemade coleslaw.

Nationally renowned media professionals Jim Cochran, former Washington correspondent, and Barbara Cochran, a news executive in broadcast, print, and nonprofit worlds, will be in Toledo Oct. 3 at the Toledo Club. They are the keynote speakers for the Press Club of Toledo's 14th annual Touchstone Awards to celebrate excellence in journalism and community service.

The community nominees include Baldemar Vasquez, Dennis Wisebaker, Bob Bennett, and David Vossmer, and there are more than a dozen media nominees.

The public event starts with cocktails, grazing, and socializing at 6 p.m. followed by the awards at 7:15 p.m. Tickets for the business attire event are $65 for members, $75 for nonmembers, and $45 for students. Call Shaun Hegarty at 419-265-9138; email touchstone@toledopressclub.com; fax 888-273-1623, or mail to Press Club of Toledo, P.O. Box 2469, Toledo, 43606.

Guidelines: Please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Comments that violate these standards, or our privacy statement or visitor's agreement, are subject to being removed and commenters are subject to being banned. To post comments, you must be a registered user on toledoblade.com. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.